Invest Ottawa Facilitates Global Expansion That Promises to Deliver Economic and Social Benefits in Canada’s Capital

(Ottawa, November 13, 2018) – Motitech, a Bergen Norway-based company that develops technology to help older adults and individuals with dementia become more physically active, today announced that it has incorporated in Canada, and established its first Canadian office in Ottawa. This strategic expansion will enable the growing firm to build on its initial partnership with Ottawa’s Bruyere Village as well as the Glebe Centre, and fully capitalize on the many business competitive advantages offered in this thriving global tech hub.

Founded in 2013 and led by CEO Jon Ingar Kjenes, Motitech aims to help health care facilities and adult day program centres to provide increased exercise opportunities for seniors. The company has developed Motiview, a motivational aid that stimulates seniors and people with dementia to increase their physical activity. The firm has over 300 customers in the Nordic countries, Canada (including Ottawa) and England, and boasts a repurchase rate of 95%. The company established a subsidiary in the UK in 2018 and has now expanded into the Americas with this new office in Ottawa.

Motitech client tests the Norwegian-based firm’s technology which helps older adults and individuals with dementia become more physically active.

Having worked with Invest Ottawa’s Global Expansion team over the summer, Motitech has hired their first Canadian-based employee in Ottawa and is leveraging Invest Ottawa’s soft-landing space to launch Canadian operations. In the days ahead, the firm will work with the Global Expansion team to establish an office, source talent and build relationships across the innovation ecosystem.

“Invest Ottawa is proud to support the expansion and growth of Motitech here in Ottawa as they continue to grow their Canadian operations and bring new jobs and investment to our city,” said Blair Patacairk, Vice President Global Expansion. “Motitech’s unique technology is working to support our aging population and improve the quality of life for seniors and those who suffer from dementia. In support of our five-year strategic plan, this company adds new capabilities to Ottawa’s growing life science sector. Their novel projects are creating exceptional ways for clients to engage, challenge one another, and contribute to an interconnected world-wide community.”

Dan McEwen, Director Market Development with Motitech, is grateful for the critical support provided by Invest Ottawa and the opportunities to collaborate on growth and promotional strategies in this world-leading tech hub.

“We look forward to the future growth of Motitech in Ottawa, and across Canada more broadly,” said McEwen. “We chose to land in Ottawa as we have established strong connections with healthcare facilities within the city, but primarily, it was due to the warm welcome we received from Invest Ottawa and the way they connected us to the high-level ecosystem, which made the incorporation process smooth and efficient.”

Looking to increase the quality of life for older adults and individuals with dementia, Motitech aims to increase the number of Canadian cyclists who participate in, and benefit from, Motiview, their motivational tool. Using high definition video, sounds and music, Motiview enables users to embark on cycle trips in familiar surroundings that stimulate fond memories while they pedal with a user adapted stationary cycle.

The company strives to host the largest sporting event in the world, by participant size, as older adults and individuals with dementia compete in a future Road Worlds for Seniors. This previous September, the Road Worlds for Seniors event featured nearly 2,500 cyclists, with participants from 126 different departments/institutions in six countries including Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, England and Canada. With entries in men, women and team competitions, the event promotes personal triumphs, social fellowship, and better mental and physical health for all participants.

Thanks to this first North American office in Ottawa as well as Motitech’s unique technology and marketing initiatives an increased number of older adults and individuals with dementia will benefit from an increased physical well-being and quality of life.

Motitech demonstrates their technology to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and members of the Norwegian Royal Family. Here Prince William tries out the high-tech bike and video.Credit: Hannah McKay / PA, Source: The Telegraph News

About Motitech

Since 2012, Motitech has been involved in project collaboration with the Municipality of Bergen. The aim of the project was to motivate seniors and people with dementia to become more physically active. The results from the project were so positive that the company was formed in 2013 in order to promote the project to Nordic countries. Today Motitech helps institutions and day-centres provide increased exercise opportunities for seniors using Motiview and a wide selection of exercise apparatus, including the Thera-Trainer.

About Invest Ottawa

Invest Ottawa is the lead economic development agency for Canada’s Capital, facilitating economic growth and job creation in the City of Ottawa. Guided by a vision to help realize Ottawa’s full potential as a globally-recognized, innovative and future-ready city, and the best place to learn, work, live, and play, Invest Ottawa delivers venture development and global expansion programs and services that catalyze the growth and success of entrepreneurs and firms. These include: small business training; mentorship; acceleration for technology firms; foreign business and investment attraction; local business retention and expansion in targeted sectors; commercialization; and marketing Ottawa’s diversified economy and high quality of life. Since 2012, Invest Ottawa has worked with thousands of startups, scale-ups and SMEs; helped firms to attract $322 million in capital; contributed to the creation of more than 6,350 jobs; and attracted $293 million in Foreign Direct Investment. For additional information, please visit: www.investottawa.ca.

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